Road Trip to Brisbane - Matisse, GOMA, Southbank & Chocolate!

I am a very lucky woman. My Daughter-In-Law gave me a ticket to the stage performance of  Mary Poppins, along with a planned 5 nights away in Brisbane, with her Mum and Aunty, and a few of her friends (who are all great fun, by the way).

Mary Poppins was fabulous! Sadly, no photography is allowed during the performance, so no pretty pics for you - just take my word for it that the sets are incredible, singing and dancing faultless, and all in all, it is an awesome show.

I also was excited to be in Brisbane at the same time as the Matisse - Drawing Life exhibition. I whiled away a few very happy hours in front of the drawings and sketches of this skillful artist.

So long in fact, that I had to make my way back to GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) a couple of days later  to check out the rest of the exhibits...Including this remarkable piece - a pair of taxidermed deer, covered in glass bubbles... I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it, but there's no doubt it is a compelling and intriguing piece. 

I'm disappointed I didn't take my good camera out with me on the river cruise (all you can eat seafood buffet...yum....), but it was raining so much (and we'd been completely drenched the evening before - on our way to Mary Poppins - drying off under the hand dryers in the ladies room was something we'll laugh about for many years to come!) that I wasn't prepared to risk drowning it. So, iPhone pics are all I have to share with you. But this shot of the Storey Bridge all lit up is a happy reminder of a great time.

I'd never visited Southbank before, and was most impressed with the space and vibe. This shot was taken from where we enjoyed a leisurely Sunday lunch.

After lunch we found the Chocolate Shop - Chocolate by the Bald Man Max Brenner. Leah and Cassie may have taste tested something that didn't quite tickle their taste buds the way they expected...Lets just say their advice would be, before taste testing, make sure the label doesn't read Bubble Bath! 

We laughed, talked into the nights, ate, shopped and possibly had a glass of wine occasionally. With the theatre and two trips to the Art Gallery in 5 days, I can't remember when I've had such an injection of culture all at once!

Thanks Leah; and your family and friends - that was a blast!